From the Archives
A look back
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L to R: 1981 New York Magazine feature | 1977 Rocky Mountain News | 1981 Rocky Mountain News | Betty Woodman’s pottery at WFF. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
1981 New York Magazine feature. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman's and George Woodman's press clippings: FROM THE ARCHIVES
Archives Intern Shauna Fitzgerald shares some thoughts on her experience in the WFF Archives in the Fall of 2024.
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L to R: Micaela shows the Pratt class a magazine article on George Woodman and Betty Woodman. Photo by Cristina Pattuelli. | Detail of a drawing done by Francesca Woodman with a note to Betty Woodman and George Woodman. The drawing includes a sofa Francesca used as a prop in photographs and teacups likely depict Betty Woodman’s ceramics. Flight information in the note may help us establish timelines for all three artists in the future. | Photo boxes owned by George Woodman. While the boxes are not “archival” (acid free), the information written on them by the artist makes them valuable in establishing provenance of final artworks. | The archive interior. Simple industrial rolling racks are utilized to hold archival assets.
Micaela shows the Pratt class a magazine article on George Woodman and Betty Woodman. Photo by Cristina Pattuelli.
Visit to WFF Archive from the Pratt School of Information’s MSLIS program, November 18, 2024
The Woodman Family Foundation archive was delighted to host students from the Art Documentation class in the Pratt School of Information’s MSLIS program on November 18. Professor Cristina Pattuelli, consulting archivist Sewon Kang, and the students joined us to survey of some of the archives highlights and have an engaging discussion on the unique opportunities and challenges the Woodman Family archives have.
L to R: “Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print | 2 & 3: Francesca Woodman's Yashica Mat-124G camera | “Untitled," 1979, 3 5/16 x 3 1/2 in. Chromogenic print. All artworks by Francesca Woodman © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Francesca Woodman, “Self-Portrait at Thirteen," c. 1972, 6 3/4 x 6 11/16 in. Gelatin silver print © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Francesca Woodman's first camera: FROM THE ARCHIVES
In 1972, Francesca Woodman received her first camera, a 6x6 twin-lens reflex Yashica Mat-124G, from her father, George Woodman.
Image details: 1. Betty Woodman at work in her studio in Antella, Italy, 1996. Photograph by George Woodman | 2. An assemblage of Betty Woodman’s studio materials. Clockwise from bottom left: Rocket Expansion cement, broken ceramic pieces, measuring cup, sponges, Orton standard pyrometric cones (open box) Orton small pyrometric cones, fork, toothbrush, kitchen knife | 3. George Woodman in his New York City studio c. 1980s | 4. An assemblage of George Woodman’s studio materials. Clockwise from bottom left: Gorton vapor equalizing valve, Bessey vise clamp, Xcemite screw driver, rubber hook tool, Dap silicone, GE silicone, Stanley level, Conair hair dryer, Wiss pliers, Great Neck wood chisel, Maimeri set of paints
Betty Woodman at work in her studio in Antella, Italy, 1996. Photograph by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Tools used by Betty Woodman and George Woodman: FROM THE ARCHIVES
October is American Archives Month and we are celebrating by looking at some of the tools of the trade used by George Woodman and Betty Woodman in our collection.
L to R: Betty, Charles, and Francesca Woodman in front of the New York World's Fair Unisphere, 1964 / Charles and Francesca Woodman in front of Thailand's pavilion, 1964 / Bird's eye view of the New York World's Fair, 1964. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty, Charles, and Francesca Woodman in front of the New York World's Fair Unisphere, 1964. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans at the 1964 New York World's Fair: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Sixty years ago, before they had traveled much of the world together, the Woodman family visited the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
L to R: 1-3: Betty Woodman and George Woodman on their wedding day, Cambridge, MA, June 27, 1953 / Wedding announcement, 1953 / 4 & 5: Wedding telegrams from friends and family, June 27, 1953. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman on their wedding day, Cambridge, MA, June 27, 1953. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Happy 71st anniversary to Betty Woodman and George Woodman
Happy 71st anniversary to Betty Woodman and George Woodman, who were married on this day in 1953.
Detail: Betty Woodman walking under torii gates, Japan, 1990 / Pair: Details of Betty Woodman and George Woodman in a traditional ryokan inn, Japan, 1990 / Betty Woodman, Japan, 1990 / George Woodman, Japan, 1990 / George Woodman, Shinto shrine, Japan, 1990 / Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan, 1990 / Buddhist Guardian statue, Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan, 1990 / Pillars, Hōryū-ji Temple, Nara, Japan, 1990 / Shave ice stall, Japan, 1990. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Detail: Betty Woodman walking under torii gates, Japan, 1990. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman and George Woodman in Japan, 1990
As the solstice today marks the official beginning of summer, we are reminded of the Woodmans’ extensive travels around the world and their months immersed in global artistic influences.
L to R: Betty Woodman with potted flowers, Antella, Italy, c. 1990s / Betty in her garden in Boulder, Colorado, c. 1960s / Betty putting fresh flowers in a group of her “Vase and Stand” works, 1984. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman with potted flowers, Antella, Italy, c. 1990s. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Happy birthday to Betty Woodman
Happy birthday to Betty Woodman—a garden enthusiast and artist who ingeniously experimented with her lifelong muse, the vase, and its multitude of sculptural possibilities.
L to R: George Woodman with his painting, "Untitled," c. 1970. / George Woodman with his installation "Path Games," 2004, Renaissance Center Station, Detroit, MI. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
George Woodman with his painting, "Untitled," c. 1970. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Happy birthday to George Woodman
Happy birthday to George Woodman—lover of color, pattern, and setting the stage—who was born on this day in 1932 in Concord, New Hampshire.
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Customs declaration form penned by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Customs declaration form penned by George Woodman. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Across oceans and borders, a customs declaration became a promise: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Around 1952, a young George Woodman in Cambridge, Massachusetts, penned his devotion on a USPS customs form: “Little box with littler box inside” and “1 engagement ring of Navajo silver with turquoises.” The precious 4-ounce package was destined for the hands of Elizabeth Abrahams (later to be known as Betty Woodman) across the ocean in Fiesole, Italy, where she had been living and working for the past year.
L to R: Images 1-4: Betty Woodman’s brushes / Detail of "Roman Girls," 2008, 35 x 70 x 11 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, paint / Detail of "History of the Amphora," 2011, 6 ft. x 8 ft. x 1 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, acrylic paint / Detail of “Country House,” 2005, 66 x 32 x 9 1/2 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer / Woodman’s glazes / Detail of "Spring Wall Relief," 2009, 60 x 48 x 1 in. Glazed earthenware / Detail of "His and Hers Vases: Ferris Wheel," 2006, 28.5 x 73 x 14.5 in. Glazed earthenware, epoxy resin, lacquer, and paint / All works by Betty Woodman. © Woodman Family Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman’s brushes. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman's glazes, paints, and brushes: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Betty Woodman’s numerous glazes, paints, and the varied configurations of brushes—sometimes mixed or assembled by the artist herself to achieve desired color swatches, brushy marks, and parallel stripes—reflect her continuously innovative work with ceramic forms.
L to R: Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman and Nancy Graves in Italy, 1966 / Charlie Woodman and Richard Serra in Italy, 1966 / Betty Woodman with Nancy Graves, Richard Serra and unknown friend in Italy, 1965. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
Betty Woodman, Francesca Woodman and Nancy Graves in Italy, 1966. Woodman Family Foundation Archives.
The Woodmans, Nancy Graves and Richard Serra in Italy: FROM THE ARCHIVES...
Over the course of a year from 1965-66, the Woodman family lived and worked in Italy, just outside of Florence. During that time, Betty and George became close friends with the artists and then-couple Nancy Graves and Richard Serra, who, like Betty, was there for the year on a Fulbright-Hays scholarship. They spent many hours together around the table, sharing meals, funny hats and conversations about art.